The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for the harnessing of the potential of Nigerians abroad to drive the growth of the country’s sports sector. She emphasized that knowledge-sharing, expertise, skills, and investments from the diaspora could significantly enhance sports development in Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa made this remark in Lagos while receiving Super Bowl champion Morotoluwa Ojomo at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Ojomo, a Nigerian-born American football star, was warmly welcomed by NiDCOM officials in recognition of his achievement as a member of the victorious Philadelphia team in the Super Bowl.
Ojomo, a proud native of Lagos, moved to the United States in 2009, where he excelled in American football. He built an impressive career, playing college football at Texas before advancing to the professional league. His return to Nigeria was led by his father, Pastor Ololade Ojomo, and a team of dedicated supporters.
NiDCOM celebrated Ojomo’s success, reinforcing its commitment to recognizing and engaging Nigerians in the diaspora who continue to make the nation proud. The Commission sees his achievement as a testament to the resilience, hard work, and excellence that define Nigerians globally.
As Nigeria seeks to strengthen its sports industry, questions remain about how well the country can structure policies to integrate diaspora talents into its development agenda. Will success stories like Ojomo’s inspire a more strategic approach to diaspora engagement in sports? Only time will tell.
